The experts have warned that we can expect higher-than-average bushfire danger this summer, thanks to the recent record hot weather and a couple wet summers which have built up fuel loads. As a result I've had a number of conversations with people recently about the most appropriate ways of dealing with the dangers of fire when in the bush. While most climbers don't go too far afield, a quick-moving fire still has the potential to trap you at a crag. Plus I know there's plenty of climbers who go further afield, whether looking for that secret climbing "Shangri-La", or for a bit of canyoning, bushwalking, or other outdoor pursuits.

I've pulled together an article covering the best advice I could find, combined with my own recollections from my own RFS training, that hopefully contains some helpful tips that folks on here will find useful.

Basically, I've tried to cover in some detail the risks associated with bushfires, the factors that will influence how and where they move, and what you should do before and during a trip to reduce your risk of being caught in a fire. The largest point however is a set of tips for if you are actually caught up by a blaze. A lot of them are common sense, but a few surprised me, and all will help have a clearer, calmer response on the off chance you are caught out this summer.

Interestingly, one area I hadn't even thought of was what to do if trapped in your car by a fast moving fire. One of the changes I'm making over summer is ensuring I keep a wool blanket in the back of my far, to provide protection from radiant heat in just such an emergency. There's a few similarly simple tips that I'm sure plenty of you already practice.